[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

Uncle Ernie's untimely demise has had me thinking a lot. I haven't been back on the Enfield since.
Uncle Ernie did not have a support system. No kids or relatives in the area. He didn't even have a cell phone. Not sure, but I bet he rode his enfield home, broken ribs and all.
He was having problems seeing, and may have blacked out. He didn't ride after dark, so he knew this was a problem.
So the question is, will you know when to hang it up? Will you slowly downsize to a lighter bike, or a scooter? Or a 3 wheeler? Will a spouse or adult chhild just take away the keys, or the state take the license?
What do you forsee happening, and how will you plan for it?

[olhogrider]

I plan on going out in a blaze of glory. Or not. My mom had to tell my dad when to give it up but he still carried his license when all he could drive was a powered wheelchair. Last week mom drove her van into the garage wall. She thought it was in reverse. The freedom that vehicles give us is a hard thing to give up.

If I can't physically hold up a bike I would probably get a sidecar. But if it comes to that, I understand they need more upper body strength, so who knows? I plan on annoying my wife and kids for years to come.

My support system is a kickstand.

[Bug_Catcher]

There is a couple older men that bring their bikes into the shop that make me nervous.  One man is nearly 80, and rides a scooter due to the fact his arthritis makes him unable to straddle anything for very long.  He can barely walk and he has had two falls at the shop right in front of us!  One of the mechanics put 'training wheels' on his scooter to keep him more stable.  We watch him nervously as he wobbles out of the dirt driveway everytime he leaves.  

Maybe he should stop?  But at the same time, the man is almost 80, his years are limited and that little scooter gives him a lot of joy.  Coming to the shop and just chatting with everyone also brings him joy.  If he were to get taken out on that scooter, I don't think he'd regret it.  He could stay at home and simply wait for that final heart attack or stroke, but he chose to live life to the fullest until the end.  I'm sure if you could ask ol' Uncle Ernie if he regretted getting on the bike that day, he wouldn't have hesitated to say no
.

[1Blackwolf1]

  I refuse o tip toe through life only to arrive safely at death.  It however is my intention to slide in sideways, spinning the back tire, body totally used up with a flask of Jameson in my hand and loudly proclaim..what a rush.

  When it's your time to just give up I believe you'll know.  I was put on this earth to accomplish a certain amount of things and right now I'm so far behind I can never die...

[GreenRE]

U guys r brave. The other day while riding a twist i had a head to head encounter with a bmw that veered into my lane. No contact was made but for a couple seconds my life kinda flashed in front of me. I thought about my kid wife and parents. Even thought of hanging it up for a moment.  Still do. And i still have about 45 years to be the old Greer that shows. Up at ur shop. 

Its rough out there. Play it safe folks.

[barenekd]

People tell me I've got the lives of a cat. I tell them, I've already outlived 3 cats! I as told I'd be dead by the time I as 30, then 40, then 50, etc. I'm still here and still cheating death by, occasionally, fractions of seconds or inches. I just kinda gave up flying, not so much that I want to, but that I can't really afford it since I've run my gamut of students. I can still fly the Sport place category stuff. Just spending money on my Beast, my J-3 Cub of the roads.
My wife would love to see me lead a more sedentary life, but then i wouldn't have fun things to post on these forums! Death is always lurking around the corner, does that mean I shouldn't go there! Not ready to quit doing that. For 50 years I've known I could get mashed dong the things I do, yet my friends have disappeared around me, but I just keep on thumping as they would be doing if they were still here.
I just want to be like that old guy in "Waking Ned Devine" cruising around on the old Norton ES2 Thumper, naked, at 80 years old or so, down a good dirt road! Well, I may not insist on the naked part.
If I was forced to quit riding, I would not do well. As it is I'm still having a great time!
Bare

[The Garbone]

I bought my Enfield a few years ago after my mother passed away.  She was so afraid of living she would have fits at the thought of me riding.  Last year my wife was diagnosed with cancer,  we spent last summer and winter in hospitals and chemo wards..  She is fine now but both of us realize how short life really is..  

I am trying to enjoy every minute of time god will give me.   Last week riding home from work in the rain I got stuck waiting for a train to pull past.      As I was sitting, soaked to the bone, I could not help but smile.    I like trains, love the rain, love just sitting listening to my RE idle.  Life is good.

 I might only have one year or 40 years left.   I hope I am in the saddle until I am 98,, its not up to me but I can dream.  My wife grandfather was 98 and still drove his cadillac,  fell over walking out to pick up the paper in the driveway..  Not a bad way to go.

[boggy]

I worry about dying on my bike.  Not for myself, but for my wife.  I worry about dying doing something so selfish.  That is why I ride - For myself.  Because I love riding a motorcycle more than doing just about anything.  I do not love it more than my wife, and the idea of widowing her because of something so selfish is something that endlessly weighs on my mind.

But still I ride.  And recognizing that passion is why my father regrettably bought me that first bike when I was so young and so stupid.  And that is why my wife sends me off everyday on two wheels - worrying to death, but recognizing my passion.

I have no idea when enough will be enough and by the time I find out it might be too late.  I'll probably hang it up when I stop feeling so alive on two wheels.  That is something that at this time, I just can not imagine.

[scoTTy]

I was put on this earth to accomplish a certain amount of things and right now I'm so far behind I can never die...

LMAO 

Know just exactly what you mean!!!!!!! Don't have the time,,,

[barenekd]

To my way of thinking you have to do some very selfish things in your life. Even the biggest do-gooders do it for a selfish reason. It makes them feel good for what they can do for someones else. they are satisfied with their lives. Perhaps though their mates aren't so happy abo9ut them giving up the store.
I won't get into those left wing do-gooder socialists who do a lot of yapping about what should be done to the others' lives as long as it doesn't cost them anything!
As for the rest of us, we have to have a feeling of accomplishment about the things we've done in our own lives for ourselves, even if it does give others a bit of a pain. It is their selfishness that is causing their pain.So don't think that I should give up the joys in my life to someones selfish feelings.
Or to put it simply, we're all selfish...Deal with it!
We're all gonna die.
Enjoy life as best you can without hurting (and this does count the relief of selfishnes in others)  others.
She does things to me that I wish she didn't, but I'm not going to cry too much about it.
Bare

[r80rt]

Life is always fatal, do the fun stuff as much as possible.

[Maturin]

I´ve got glaucoma on both eyes. Kind of a lottery win to be diagnosed with it before you´re 40. It was a shock untill I realised that it will probably take years to impair my eyesight in a critical way. I have to admit that I count on the technical progress finding a way to stop it ultimately, otherwise there will be a eye test several years in the future telling me I´m not fit enough to drive a vehicle.
Actually this disease doesn´t change anything, for it´s sure that there will be a day someday when prudence tells me I should stop now driving my bike. It doesn´t matter much if it will be the eyesight or something else, although I´ll gladly accept every additional moment my health will provide.
However, I would not be comfortable with consciously beeing a threat to other people. I wish I am going to have the strength to evaluate it, and draw the conclusions accordingly. I´m not married yet, to be honest I doubt I will be in the future, but who knows. Meanwhile I asume that this will be my decision alone.
Funny, as I´m writing this it strikes me what marvellous present the day tomorrow will be! I´m going to ride, nothing will keep me from doing so.

[Ice]

 When its my time to give up riding I will.

The challenge will be to do so with with grace and dignity.

[single]

I think it is possible that I will know when to stop.I do not enjoy scaring myself or others so maybe when that starts,I will stop.I hope so,I guess.My father stopped when he was confused by the states' eye exam.He could see okay but he could not understand the instructions.I felt really sorry for him but he and everybody else was better off.He never drove again after that.I was relieved but he never got over it.I took him for long rides,which he loved,but that is not the same.I will sell the bike(s) when the time comes as I would not be able to resist.
I am very grateful for this blessing of mobility,of having the ability and the privilege of riding and driving.But I know that this,too,shall pass.

[cochi]

This thread has also got me to thinking. Since becoming a part of  this forum, 3 members  have crossed over, LJ Read, Papa Juan and  now Uncle Ernie. The older we get, the more of our friends and acquaintances will pass on. I am having a difficult time accepting that I am aging and that at some point I will no longer be able to ride. I am the happiest when on my Bullet and  I want be like that 80 year old Bug Catcher described.  When I do have  to give it up, as Ice put it, "The challenge will be to do so with grace and dignity".  cochi:)    

[SRL790]

Had to put one of my dogs down this week.  He was just a Husky mix mutt that we got from the pound as a puppy, 13 years ago.  Got to the point where he couldn't even lift his leg to pee anymore, plus had liver problems and the vet thought maybe a tumor causing other problems.  So we made the decision to let him go out with dignity.

Just wish that someone could (legally) do the same for me when the time comes or just let me ride a bike off the side of a mountain.  Sometimes I think that we treat our pets better than we do our friends and relatives.

Andy

[prof_stack]

Sorry about your Husky, SRL.  I know it's never easy.

I started on a Honda 90 and might end up on one.  In the middle I had a 700# Harley Eletra-Hog and then started coming down:  1340, 984,744, and now 499cc.  I've had my sights on the new Honda CBR250R and Suzuki TU250x. 

It is clear that I am not as strong as I was 25 years ago.  Night vision is worse now.  Patience with poor drivers is, uh, less.  I have the feeling that I will know when it's time to park the helmet.  Or at least I hope so.

[boggy]

Sorry to hear, SRL. That is sad stuff, but you gave a pound dog a life. A life. That's good stuff.  Cheers to ya man. And your pup.

Hang in there Blue Ridge.  When you are ready, kick it over and see what it sounds like.

[2bikebill]

I only got back into motorbiking last year after way too long. Getting another bike was always something I was going to do "later". You keep shoving a thing onto the back burner for "later" for long enough and eventually it just comes to belong there - just that thing you're going to do "later".

I have profound gratitude for the sheer rip-roaring pleasure that's now back in my life, and utter disbelief that I went so long without it. How the hell did that happen....?
Luckily, perhaps it's age or perhaps it's grace, not much attention is now paid to such thinking. Noise in the head is just noise in the head and has nothing to do with anything. THIS right here right now is all there is, all there's ever been. Most of it wasted paying attention to some bullshit version of it arising in the head, always spoiling now, always wide of the mark.

Nothing you can say can pin life down. No need for a story about how good/bad/right/wrong it might be according to me, you, him, her, them, or any other clever delusional well-meaning bullshit artist.
We're all looking out of very confined spaces remember......it cannot possibly make sense on our terms.....

Get on yer bike, if that's what you like......

[AgentX]

If or when it stops being fun and the real reason for doing it becomes to prove a point rather than to enjoy myself, I think I'll have no problem letting go.

I have a new first baby and the selfishness of riding motorcycles for my own enjoyment does occur to me.  But then again, I am teaching her the joy of two wheels in all forms.  To whit, a recent recording:

The Happiest Baby on Two Wheels

[Andy]

I plan an leaving this life the same way I came into it:  Screaming and covered in blood.

[1Blackwolf1]

I plan an leaving this life the same way I came into it:  Screaming and covered in blood.

  My kind of guy you are.  Can't see being sedate(d) in life.  I told my wife that I'll keep one of the pistols loaded and take a long walk into the woods at the end.  Simpler than wearing a diaper and eating baby food...

[Andy]

  I told my wife that I'll keep one of the pistols loaded and take a long walk into the woods at the end.

Who told you about my retirement plan?   

[1Blackwolf1]

  Good guess huh?  Just can't see living when/if someone has to change/feed me.  That is being alive only..not living.

[single]

This is some purty serious stuff.As far as riding or whatever being selfish,it is,obviously.Are we not just somewhat entitled to a few small treats ?Do we not spend most of our time practically in the service of others?That is the set-up,no?I am not complaining about it,life is great,but it is not exactly stress free,after all.One must take a bit of pleasure out of the whole just as surely as we must sleep.Ride on,Brothers,forget the requirements for a bit.Mite not be a bad idea to add something to the list of goodies to think about what mite interest you when you do get past riding.I intend to immerse myself in American history,Civil War focus.I can do this from the nursing home,if that is the case.
I know that suicide is tempting,at times.For myself,I want to see Jesus.But I do not want him to be angry.

[rbelyk]

I'll be turning 56 in a couple weeks, until I got my Molly I hadn't ridden a bike in over 25 yrs. I think of it as my mid life crisis, and I'm hoping that's what it is, mid life.

like Blackwolf said, When it's your time to just give up I believe you'll know.  I was put on this earth to accomplish a certain amount of things and right now I'm so far behind I can never die...

sympathies SRL. reading that brought a tear to my eye, I am not looking forward to that day

ride long and ride safe everyone

[single]

Yeah,SRL,sorry about you doggy.My crazy schnauser has just been diagnosed to be diabetic,like my wife,and now I can probly see his end approaching.We have had other critters this happened to and it didn't go good.As stated,you gave a home and hope to a forlorn critter,but we are never ready to let them go.You did right by him,to the last.

[prof_stack]

  My kind of guy you are.  Can't see being sedate(d) in life.  I told my wife that I'll keep one of the pistols loaded and take a long walk into the woods at the end.  Simpler than wearing a diaper and eating baby food...

Heh, you might not even be able to walk, let alone take a long one.  More likely you'll wheel yourself far away and finish the business.

[1Blackwolf1]

  I look at it this way..cheated a stroke at 38, diagnosed with lupus at 41, found out about the degenerative bone disease in my spine last year at 49.  I've been living on borrowed time since 38...how many lives are you allowed?  I still work 40+ hours every week and am no slouch around the corral, so I've had a bullseye. dead on view of the end for a long while.  Doc says I'll probably be in a wheelchair by 60, so I live life responsibly as much as possible.  No regrets, whatever is next is next.

[t120rbullet]

I was thinking about Uncle Ernie last week as I was being driven to the hospital after the cheep shit tires slid out from under my Ural.
Out of the deal I got,
2 broken ribs
1 fractured elbow
1 partially collapsed lung with a hole in the bottom half of it from the rib.
And last but not least I lost about 1lb ground meat on the street.
So as a lay in the hospital for the last 5 days I have come to the conclusion that none of these injuries are bad enough to prevent me from being able to ride again but I don't think I'm going to make it to the VMD in 2 weeks.
Yea, getting old sucks but if you give up everything you love just because someone told you were too old to do it life would suck even worse. Besides the way when I'm out riding it's the only time I feel young or don't feel old and broken. I'll never quit riding but like the guy in BCs story the bikes are getting smaller.

CJ



 

[boggy]

Glad to hear you are OK, Mr. t120.  Those injuries are pretty serious, but it sounds like your head is a-ok.  Good luck with the mending.  Try not to laugh or sneeze.

[r80rt]

Damn CJ, I hope you heal up fast. I agree with you on smaller bikes too, part of the reason I'm riding a C5 is beacuse I'm a little crippled up these days.

[Leonard]

Everyone has probably seen that clip of the old Chinese guys that haul out their old bikes and go riding.  Here is another for anyone that thinks they are getting too old to ride:  http://tinyurl.com/3jq82j4

I ride with a bunch of other old farts (see www.romeoriders.com) and several  are in their 80's.  Age doesn't come up too often, we are more inclined to talk about our bikes or our most recent ride. 

CJ, get healed up brother.  You have too many bikes to stay down too long.

[Anon]

Damn, CJ, it sounds like you took quite a spill!  You sound pretty banged up, but it sounds like you're in good hands now.  Take care and treat yourself well to get better all the way.

This was your Ural ST that it happened on, right?  What happened?  Not that it is in any way the important part, but how is the bike?

Eamon

[2bikebill]

That mustv'e hurt!  Get well soon CJ.
TAKE         IT           EASY.......

[Kevin Mahoney]

Chris,
OMG what a sorry deal that is. The ribs will take months to heal mcuh less the rest of it. At least you are OK more or less. Glad to hear it.

Those in the office will be horrified but glad you are OK

I hate to even ask this but I have not been on much, what happened to Ernie? I assume he passed on.

[Ice]

He did 

[boggy]

Kevin,
Blue Ridge gave us a bit of Ernie's history, and some details on the events leading to his passing.  It's buried pretty deep in a a thread so hopefully this link takes you right to it.  In case it does not, it starts at reply #34.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/forum/index.php/topic,10964.msg127752.html#msg127752

Some sad stuff that I think has had us all fumbling around for the past few weeks.  Perhaps a testament to the the fact that electronic connections can be as deep as those made in person.

[jeep44]

I´ve got glaucoma on both eyes. Kind of a lottery win to be diagnosed with it before you´re 40. It was a shock untill I realised that it will probably take years to impair my eyesight in a critical way. I have to admit that I count on the technical progress finding a way to stop it ultimately, otherwise there will be a eye test several years in the future telling me I´m not fit enough to drive a vehicle.
Actually this disease doesn´t change anything, for it´s sure that there will be a day someday when prudence tells me I should stop now driving my bike. It doesn´t matter much if it will be the eyesight or something else, although I´ll gladly accept every additional moment my health will provide.
However, I would not be comfortable with consciously beeing a threat to other people. I wish I am going to have the strength to evaluate it, and draw the conclusions accordingly. I´m not married yet, to be honest I doubt I will be in the future, but who knows. Meanwhile I asume that this will be my decision alone.
Funny, as I´m writing this it strikes me what marvellous present the day tomorrow will be! I´m going to ride, nothing will keep me from doing so.

I also have Glaucoma-diagnosed when I was in my mid-40s. I used various eyedrops, until I became allergic to some. I had surgery on both my eyes,where they actually cut an opening in each eye to relieve the pressure. I have not had to use any eyedrops for 15 years now (I'm 58 now), and I have had no significant progression of the disease since the operations,either.

[singhg5]

CJ:

Sorry to hear about your accident and the injuries sustained.

My best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. Take your time and let it heal properly and follow the advice of your physicians - as well as listen to your inner self. I admire your upbeat attitude and courage to overcome this and get back when you are well.

Best regards - singhg5

[Maturin]

Hey CJ! Get well soon!
I´m afraid, however, according to the large order you placed to the hospital it´ll take them some time to deliver. So be patient and make sure to have dumped all plaster before you ride again!
Finally the Ural earned a name now. What about Pitcher?  

Best regards and speedy recovery!
Maturin

[Maturin]

I also have Glaucoma-diagnosed when I was in my mid-40s. I used various eyedrops, until I became allergic to some. I had surgery on both my eyes,where they actually cut an opening in each eye to relieve the pressure. I have not had to use any eyedrops for 15 years now (I'm 58 now), and I have had no significant progression of the disease since the operations,either.

I sincerely wish you all the best. May our glaucomae sleep on for years and decades!
Actually this disease is quite widespread and early diagnosis is critical. I only can recommend to everybody to visit an eye doctor regularly. Especially coloured persons do have a higher risk to develop this.

[rbelyk]

a toke a day keeps the glauc away...

[single]

Carry on,CJ.I sure hope you heal fast and can ride again soon.

[t120rbullet]

Thanks all.
The head's still screwed on right because I had a helmet on that needs to be replaced now. This is the second time a helmet has saved me some major problems. I'm still against being told I have to wear one though. If the Gov told me not to wear one I feel a whole lot better about wearing one.

It's starting to sound like we're all living in one of those assisted living retirement complexes. Making bets on who their boxing up and hauling out that day.
Maybe we should start hanging out in the sport bike forums with the kids.
Of course the attrition rate is pretty high there too.
CJ

[Leonard]

Talked with CJ yesterday and he hopes to be going home today.   

[barenekd]

CJ, Just got back into this thread. Sorry to hear about your mishap. Falling off can be a PITA. Getting beat up is worse. Hope your out there with us soon.
Get well quick.
Bare

[barenekd]

As we keep downsizing our modes of transport, be careful, some of those 250s weigh nearly as much as our thumpers, and don't get as good mileage! Hang on to those Bullets. The smiles you get will beat anything you can get out of the 250s! When you can't ride those, UHOH!
Bare

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

CJ,
Were you running the Duro's on the sT?
How do you compare the sT and the New Enfield?
Are you on Soviet Steeds? and if so, what is your screen name?

[ace.cafe]

I just noticed the activity on this thread, and just found out about CJ's spill.
Very sorry to hear about it, and I'm glad that it wasn't any more serious than it was.
I'm sure it was quite painful and there is no "good spill".

So, heal up as quickly as possible, and best wishes for enjoying the rest of the riding season if you can!

[Andy]

I was thinking about Uncle Ernie last week as I was being driven to the hospital after the cheep shit tires slid out from under my Ural.
Out of the deal I got,
2 broken ribs
1 fractured elbow
1 partially collapsed lung with a hole in the bottom half of it from the rib.
And last but not least I lost about 1lb ground meat on the street.

CJ

Ow!  Get well soon, brother!

[t120rbullet]

Thanks for "speedy get wells" all.
I'm home now but still have a vent in my chest and have to go back every few days for an x-ray to see if this lung is filling up or getting worse. So far it's not quite filling up but at least it's not getting worse.


Yea, it was the stock Duro HF-314 on the sT. A re-pop of the classic Pirelli tire made out of recycled ziploc bags and used condoms.
Didn't like the tires right from day one, lesson learned.
Always trust your first instinct, never ever scrimp on motorcycle tires.

At this point the Ural isn't coming back. Had a ill handling 72 CB-750 that didn't get me out of my last big wreck and it never came home either.
Just can't bring myself to reward a bike that let me down with new parts. Kinda like giving a dog biscuit to a dog that just bit ya instead of a 22LR.
CJ


 

[REpozer]

Get well CJ.

  God Speed in your recovery.

[Andy]

At this point the Ural isn't coming back. Had a ill handling 72 CB-750 that didn't get me out of my last big wreck and it never came home either.
Just can't bring myself to reward a bike that let me down with new parts. Kinda like giving a dog biscuit to a dog that just bit ya instead of a 22LR.
CJ

I know how ya feel.  I had to put an otherwise loyal XT250 down after it bit me.

Enjoy your home time, though.  May your days be filled with DVDs and ice cream...

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

so if you guys crashed your enfield, would you get rid of it?

[1Blackwolf1]

  Probably turn it into a bobber or some other such monstrosity.  But it all depends on how bad it got busted up.  Probably wouldn't get enough insurance $$ to make it pristine (hah) condition anyway.  Chop and cut and get out the welder and torch.

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

well, the reason I asked is the Ural st is on my short list of bikes I'd like to have if I ever decide to drop down to one two wheeler and I was wondering how it stacked up against the UCE. I know the tires suck, but the stock tires on a lot of bikes suck too.
It is slightly more $$$ than a UCE, less than a Bonneville, and a lot less than the Guzzi V7. The Kawasaki 800 might not get imported.
The Enfield and the URal have a kick starter, which is important to me.
The Ural has carbs, which is important to a luddite like me.
The Bonneville is too much of a porker.
The Guzzi is too much money.
So I was wondering how the Enfield and Ural compared in real life comparisons.

Ihad a 68 CB 750 back in 68, and while everyone raved about the bike, I didn't like it.

[1Blackwolf1]

  Guess if it were down to one bike I'd keep for the long run it would probably be an older model Goldwing.  Prior to about 90 when it started to turn into an all plastic machine.  High reliability, very good long distance rider, decent gas mileage.  But then again I always liked the road couchs after my 75, heck right now I'd trade my Kawasaki Drifter even up for a 85-87 wing in good shape with less than 50k mileage.  That's how reliable they are.

  But I've also toyed with the idea of getting a CJ750 from Scooter Bobs'corral just to have a really unusual machine.  I've also looked at the Ural patrol in sand camo, would make a nice ride, and the reliability of the newer models seems to be very good.

[t120rbullet]

so if you guys crashed your enfield, would you get rid of it?

Not all bikes are created equal.
None of the Enfields I have had (5) have been ill handling beasts. And I doubt any of them are unless turned into one by personal choice.
Even with the evil Speedmaster/SM combo (my favorite) they are one of the most predictable motorcycles I have ever ridden. No surprises, you know exactly what it's going to do when it's going to do it. On any surface from dry to anti-freeze to snow I just know what it's going to do.

I did flop my G5 at the Rally on the River a couple of years ago. Pulled up to my tent going about 3 mph and the front tire slid out from under me. It went down between my legs. I looked around to make sure no one saw it, picked it up, put it on the centerstand and walked away. Chalked it up to the "personal choice" RoadRiders I put on the bike along with the wet grass.

The CB 750 and the sT handled poorly right out of the box. The early CB 750s had frames that were so flexible it was like they were made of rubber instead of the recycled coat hangers that they were made of. Honda knew it but just couldn't fit any more gussets and bracing tubes under that tank.  A friend of mine had a good 25 year career making the old CBs handle well and made some money doing it.
The sT and I just never clicked. I should have got one with a hack, they need that 3rd wheel to keep em upright. And I have no idea why it came out from under me at that low of a speed. I'm not going to give it a second chance to finish the job.

Bikes to me are kinda like guns, only accurate ones are interesting. Bikes that handle like crap are not worth riding. Guns that won't group don't last long around here either.
CJ

[boggy]

I hate to imagine crashing with or without my Enfield, but like Wolf says, it depends on how bad it is.

I'm young, and I hope the Enfield stays with me for a long time.  It's my only horse right now, but when I return to the world of push-button machines I'd like to think the Enfield will be there for tinkering and transforming. 

I'm dying for another ride, so maybe I'd use it as an excuse to get another if I totaled it?  I'd probably move on, while keeping an eye on what RE does down the road.

Besides, gotta hold out just in case an AVL Fireball upgrade ever happens.

[t120rbullet]

well, the reason I asked is the Ural st is on my short list of bikes I'd like to have if I ever decide to drop down to one two wheeler and I was wondering how it stacked up against the UCE.
So I was wondering how the Enfield and Ural compared in real life comparisons.

Oh, I get it now.
Bikes are like hammers, can't use one for every purpose.
But to compare the 2,
Not only do the tires suck on the sT but the choices available for it are next to nil. Their choice of 18 on the rear could be nice but with the drive-shaft (it's turned down section perfect for a 19" tire) right there I really couldn't find a tire that would fit on the rim and not hit the drive-shaft. The stock 4.00 x 18 Duro measures 4.00 wide and leaves about 1/8" gap on the driveshaft.
A 4.00 x 18 Dunlop K70 measures almost 4.75 wide. Continental, Avon, all the same.
Their choice for a 3.50 x 18 on the front mounted on the same width rim as on the rear leaves you almost choice-less too. Bridgestone makes a ribbed 3.50 x 18 for the Bonneville America that will fit.

The UCE's ? All come with good tires.

The sT is the nicer of the 2 on the freeway. An all day 70 mph with some spurts up to 80/85 are well within it's capabilities. Heavy enough to stay put in the wind.
50 mph is a problem, too slow for 4th and almost too fast for 3rd. A lot of shifting in that speed range. And you know how Urals shift. Like a good Russian tractor.

The UCE, I'd stick to 65 mph with spurts up into the 70s with it. No flat spots in the gearing and they shift like butter.

Carbs over EFI. I feel your pain man. Best hurry because I'd bet EFI is in Ural's near future too.

sT MPG  32/34
UCE        67.8 mpg

Handling,
well ya got 1 sleek sporty filly and 1 field tractor. Who do ya thinks gonna come out on top?

Wiring,
The Russians just couldn't get it right so they farmed it out to someone that could get it right. And right it is.
REM take note.


69 was the first year of the CB 750. The fastest and most desirable of all of em.
As much as I didn't like mine I wish I had it now. And my 68 FLH. And my 69 Roadrunner. And...



         

[Andy]

so if you guys crashed your enfield, would you get rid of it?

I've crashed it twice.  It's still a keeper.   

[olhogrider]

+1 An ill handling beast is hard to live with. The worst handling bike I ever had was also the fastest bike you could buy in '84. The mighty Honda V65 Magna. I made a point of hitting 100 and getting one wheelie each day. It was my commuter bike. One day as I was wobbling through a high speed sweeper, I was passed by a Sportster! That's when I switched to Milwaukee Vibrators.

[1Blackwolf1]

  We had a 1985 V65 Magna for a couple of years....great on the straights, absulutely sucked in the twisties.  Traded it in on a 2003 800cc Vulcan for my wife, much better behaved for sure.  But I had a last on it.  2.9 seconds to 60 MPH...what a rush.

[t120rbullet]

Japan pumped out so many poor handling motorcycles throughout the 50s, 60s, 70, and early 80s. Even the good ones were 3rd rate.
The shame of it is that most of them are still running today. Go figure !

The Kawasaki Mach 3 500 & 750. Scary fast. Even worse if you found yourself a bit too into a corner going to fast.

Today's Hayabusa is one of those bikes that will get a non-familiar rider in over his head in a split second. Goes a lot faster then it can handle it's way out of trouble and turning up the steam makes it even worse.

Yup, Brit's and Harley's got me through those years intact too.
CJ

[boggy]

Interesting about the Magna considering how fantastically well the VF500 Interceptor handled with the same engine. I had some fun on that machine for a few years, but it was riddled with problems. Cornering, was not one of them.

Couldnt beat the red, white, and blue paint either.

[n1acguy]

Glad to hear you're on the mend CJ.

[olhogrider]

Interesting about the Magna considering how fantastically well the VF500 Interceptor handled with the same engine. I had some fun on that machine for a few years, but it was riddled with problems. Cornering, was not one of them.

Couldnt beat the red, white, and blue paint either.

Same engine layout of V4 but the Magna used an 1100cc boat anchor combined with cruiser styling, soft suspension and shaft drive. Remember anti-dive that was linked to the front brake? The V4 is a good engine design though. I remember the 500s had cam problems.

[1Blackwolf1]

  And the 105 hp at the rear wheel.  My wife rode ours for 2 years after she got her license, I'd always tell her the throttle and clutch were the reasons so few were left on the road.  Just wonder how many V65s were wrapped around trees or curb surfed.

[barenekd]

I had a 68 CB 750 back in 68, and while everyone raved about the bike, I didn't like it.

A friend had a '68 Honda 750. Scary machine in the twisties. Took me another ten years to forsake Brit stuff. I had a boss in '79 that had a new Bonneville that I rode occasionally. There was a dirt rode into the airport where I worked and the Bonnie just didn't feel right. His friend had a Yamaha 750 triple (not the "Midnight whatever" cruiser version) that he let me ride and I got my boss to buy me one as a "company car." That bike wasn't bad, but way to heavy for my likes. He took it back when I quit working there. Then I moved to CA and bought an SR500. Didn't own another Brit until '95 when I got a Triumph Speed Triple. Guess that's a bald faced lie. I had a Greeves 380 Griffon, an Indian Velocette, a Norton P-11, a BSA 441 and a Nortless (Norton/G80 Matchless that looked like a Manx). But none of these were my daily transport.
Bare

[Arizoni]

I rode a Honda CB400F for a number of years and it seemed to handle alright.  At least it would do anything I wanted to do on it.